Morocco boasts a superb modification in terrain and foliage, with fertile plains near its Atlantic coast, many dramatic mountains and The Sahara Desert. 

Location : Morocco is situated in northwest Africa and is separated from Spain at the northernmost tip by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar.  Morocco’s land borders are with Algeria and Mauritania.  The Atlantic sea lies to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. 

Land mass : Approx.  446,000sq km

Land use :
arable land 21%
permanent crops 1 percent
permanent pastures 47%
forests and woodland twenty p.c.
other 11%

Mountains

there are several fantastic mountain ranges in Morocco on which you can climb, hike, ski or ride mules.  The amazing variety of foliage, natural water features and mountain tops is enticing. 

The mountains are frequently heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes.  In winter lots of the mountains are covered in snow.  Many mountain animals live here, including the unusual Atalas monkey, along with a big variety of migratory birds and birds of prey, for example eagles.  There is a large bird reserve located where the Moulouya river flows into the Mediterranean sea. 

Amtoudi peak : found south of Agadir.  You can either climb the 20-30 cm narrow, rocky trail along the edge, or hire a mule to do the job for you.  An impressive view awaits you at the top. 

Atlas Mountains : Filling almost all of the northwestern corner of Africa, the Atlas are split into 5 regions stretching from Morocco, thru northern Algeria and touching Tunisia. 

Morocco has the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti Atlas.  The High Atlas is the highest range, with Jabal Toubkal stretching to 4,165 metres.  The Middle Atlas reaches 3,350 metres and the Anti Atlas doesn’t reach higher than 2,531 metres, but it has some extremely rugged landscape.  At the fringe of the Anti-Atlas in the extreme south, the view is consists of massive, eroded gorges which flow with the streams into the dry, desolate wastes of the Sahara desert. 

Chefchaouen Mountains : found in the north east, south of Tetouan.  The Chefchaouen Mountains have 2 peaks, Jebel Meggou at 1,625 meters above sea level and Jebel Tisouka with its mosque on top at 2,050 meters. 

Oregano Mountains, Taliouine : found near Tiznit, south of Agadir.  These mountains are covered with oregano and broadcast the scent throughout the valley.  At the pinnacle of these mountains ( 1,500 meters above sea level ) are two caves employed by goats for shelter. 

Rif Mountains : located on the northernmost area of Morocco on the north eastern boundaries of the Atalas mountains.  The Rif mountains are made of steep cliffs, near the shore of Mediterranean Morocco where the terrain is rugged. 

Sarhro Mountains : found south west of Marrakesh.  They’re a wonderful winter trekking destination as the desert cools and the High Atlas Mountains become covered with snow.  It’s a remote area decorated with volcanic monoliths, vegetated plateaux, ravines, tiny Berber villages and the winding Ait Atta folks.  The Sarho are arguably the most captivating mountains in all of Morocco.

Setti Fatma : Located at the end of the Ourika Valley in Marrakesh.  It has seven attractive waterfalls, amazing perspectives and mountain long trails for toughened walkers. 

Tafraoute Mountains : found south east of Agadir.  The rocky, pink mountains here are the main attractions.  A Belgian artist, Jean Verame, once painted some of the rocks blue in 1984, although these have now faded. 

Tan Tan Mountains : located down south.  Famous for its very flat top and hollowness in some pieces of the mountain. 

rivers

Morocco has the most extensive river system in North Africa.  Its rivers generally flow northwest to the Atlantic or southeast towards the Sahara Desert.  The main streams of Morocco are the Sebou which runs into the Atlantic, and the Moulouya running into the Mediterranean. 

Deserts

To the south and east lies the Sahara Desert.  The Sahara is the planet’s largest desert and in Arabic its name means’wilderness’.  The Sahara doesn’t fit the standard idea of a wholly flat and waterless area.  There are streams in the hills and the desert oases support both human and animal life. 

Plants in the desert area survive with small water ; some have extremely deep roots, others have little leaves or spines.  Desert animals must also survive with little water and many COMMA for instance.  The desert fox, remain concealed in the heat of the day others, such as gazelles, travel many miles in search of water. 

fruitful fields

These are going to be found along the Atlantic coast, stretching to the Atlas Mountains and they are rich for agriculture, producing almost all of the country’s fruit and plants.  It is well irrigated by the melt water from mountain snows from the Atlas.  Everyday plants are orange trees, date palms and cork oak trees. 

Climate

Morocco’s climate varies widely : The north is Mediterranean and the south is subtropical while the sea and mountains help to maintain a pleasant climate. 

Winters are mild and the summers are hot and dry.  Average daytime temperatures in winter range from sixteen to twenty-three C and in summer, from thirty three to 42 C.  Like Spain, Morocco has approximately 330 days of sunlight each year. 

Mountain tops are covered with snow for almost all of the year. 

Desert temperature modifications between night and day are extreme and rainfall is low and unpredictable. 

The Environment’s Future

Morocco’s natural environment is under pressure in a selection  number of ways : The increasing number of visitors and the over exploitation of resources such as oil and phosphates could damage the ecosystem in the desert.  Overgrazing and the spread of the desert could also threaten currently productive areas in the future.

For more information about travel and useful tips for tourists, visit famouswonders.com and check out Casablanca Morocco.